Mechanism for forming a foundation

ABSTRACT

The mechanism comprises a base having a narrow vertically extending and horizontally elongated section and a relatively wide and horizontally elongated top section. The top section supports a foundation form that, in one embodiment, is flexible for forming a curved foundation; and in another embodiment the form is a channel. The form and the top section of the base are constructed to provide a series of vertically aligned guides spaced horizontally from one another to receive stakes. The form is connected with one of the ends of each of a plurality of longitudinally extendible and contractable braces, and the other ends are held in place by stakes. In the embodiment in which the form is a channel, like channels have their adjoining ends connected with hinges that provide for longitudinal adjustment thereof. Too, when a plurality of transversely disposed channels are to be interconnected, one of the channels may abut another channel intermediate the ends of the latter. In that event, clamping mechanism is provided for connecting the channels together.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,785,606 Green Jan. 15, 1974 MECHANISM FOR FORMING A FOUNDATION 57 ABSTRACT [76] inventor: Y 608 E The mechanism comprises a base having a narrow ver- Impenal Cahf- 92251 tically extending and horizontally elongated section 22 Filed; July 31 1972 and a relatively wide and horizontally elongated top section. The top section supports a foundation form [21] Appl.No.: 276,773 that, in one embodiment, is flexible for forming a curved foundation; and in another embodiment the 52 US. Cl 249/3, 249/170, 249/208 form is a ehannel- The form and the top Section of the 51 Int. Cl. EOlc 7/00 base are constructed to Provide a Series of vertically 581 Field of Search 249/1-9, aligned guides spaced horizontally from one another 249/170 203; 52/15545 169 102 to receive stakes. The form is connected with one of the ends of each of a plurality of longitudinally ex- [56] References Cited tendible and contractable braces, and the other ends UNTED. STATES PATENTS are held in place by stakes. in the embodiment in which the form is a channel, like channels have their I g f ggi 249/1 adjoining ends connected with hinges that provide for l5 5/1915 longitudinal adjustment thereof. Too, when a plurality 2/1919 Seiferd of transversely disposed channels are to be intercon- L7O0798 2/1929 Heme] H nected, one of the channels may abut another channel 1,756,514 4/1930 Hempstead intermediate the ends of the latter. In that event, 1,858,644 5/1932 Smith 249/6 clamping mechanism is provided for connecting the Primary ExaminerRobert D. Baldwin AtlorneyBrown & Martin channels together.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAN 1 51914 samlarz PATENTEU JAN 1 5 I974 saanzmg FIG. 6

MECHANISM FOR FORMING A FOUNDATION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Forms of the type that are flexible for forming curved walls, such as side walls, and forms such as channels. These forms rest on an inverted L-shaped base that is in the ground. This base prevents the flow of wet material, such as concrete, underneath the form. The form is constructed with guides that are vertically aligned with holes in the base for receiving stakes.

Clamping mechanism in the form of clevises are employed for interconnecting transversely disposed channels in which an end of one of the channels abuts the other channel intermediate the ends of the latter channel. Hinges are employed that can be adjusted lengthwise to provide for interconnecting the ends of channels that are disposed at angles relative to one another.

Other features and the advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a plurality of channels connected with one another for forming a flat surface, such as a concrete floor;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of arrow 2 in FIG. 1, but on a larger scale;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along line 33 and 44, respectively, of FIG. 1, but on a larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view ofa flexible type form for forming the side of a foundation; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, but on a larger scale; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an embodiment in which the channel is fixed to a stake.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4: Those Figs. show four forms l0, l2, l4 and 16 employed for forming a platform or floor, and for illustrative purpose the forms are for forming a trapezoidal shaped platform. The forms are channels, for example, channel irons, each having a vertical web 18 and an upper flange 20 and a lower flange 22.

The ends of those channels, that are to be interconnected, are connected by a hinge 24 (see FIG. 2). The hinge includes two plates 26 and 28 that are hinged to a pin 30. At least one and, preferably, both plates are provided with a horizontally extending slot 32. The

slots are adapted to receive, respectively, a screw 34. The screws are threaded into threaded holes in the web 18 of the channel. By providing the slots and screws, the hinge can accommodate the fastening of channels that are disposed at various transverse angles relative to one another.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, it will be observed that the flanges 20 and 22 are provided, respectively, with vertically aligned holes 36 and 38 to form guides for a stake 40; and, as shown in FIG. 1, a series of such holes are spaced horizontally from one another for receiving stakes.

Referring now to FIG. 4: A clamping means 42, for joining two channels, for example, channels 14 and 16, in which an end 44 of channel 14 abuts channel 16 intermediate the ends of the latter channel, includes a clevis 46. Clevis 46 comprises a section 48 having a plug 50 at the left end of the section, as shown in FIG. 4, which plus is received in a hole 52 in the flange 20 of channel 14. Section 48 spans the flange 20 of the channel 16 and then merges into a reverse bend section having a vertical downwardly extending portion 54 and a portion 56 that extends below flange 20 of channel 16. The portion 54 is threaded to receive a screw 58 that, when turned to engage the outer edge of flange 20 of channel 16, pulls the end 44 of channel 14 into engagement with the right side of channel 16 to thus fix the channels in abutting relationship.

Again referring to FIG. 3: It will be observed that the web 18 has an outwardly extending C-shaped bracket 60 suitably affixed thereto. The outer portion of the bracket carries a readily removable pin 62 to which one end 64 of an extendible brace 66 is pivotally supported. The other end 68 of the brace receives a stake 70. The brace is preferably a telescoping type having a fixing screw 72.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein the form is flexible: The form has superimposed brackets 77 and 79 attached thereto. These brackets have vertically aligned holes 81 and 83, respectively, for receiving stakes 40. The brace 66 is attached to the bracket 79 on form 75 in the same manner as expressed with respect to the attachment of the brace to 60 in the embodiment employing channels.

An inverted L-shaped base 84 includes a horizontally elongated section providing a top platform 86 and an elongated vertical section 88 that extends into the ground. The platform 86 is provided with a hole 90 with which the holes 36 and 38 in the channel flanges 20 and 22 are aligned. Likewise, holes 81 and 83 in the brackets 77 and 79 are aligned with hole 90 in the platform 86.

The base 84 supports the channels and flexible forms such as form 75 if such base 84 is desirable for the flexible form. The vertical section 88 of the base prevents wet aggregate from flowing under the forms.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7: The web 18 of the channel is provided with brackets 90 spaced horizontally from one another, only one of which is shown. Each of these brackets is provided with a central section 92 having a vertically extending passage 94 that is adapted to receive a stake 40. The bracket includes horizontally disposed wings 96 that are disposed on opposite sides of the passage 94. The bracket section 92 is threaded to receive a set screw 98 that maintains the bracket fixed to the stake 40. The channel can be moved vertically relative to the ground. When the channel is disposed at a desired height, the set screw 98 is set.

Thus from the foregoing, it is apparent that by virtue of the present invention, I have provided reusable and, therefore, relatively inexpensive forms for forming foundations. Too, the construction is such that flowable material, such as aggregate, cannot seep underneath the forms.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Mechanism for forming a side of a foundation, such as a concrete foundation, said mechanism comprising:

a base having an elongated section extendible vertically into the ground, a platform extending outwardly from the top portion of the elongated section, said platform having a plurality of vertical holes horizontally spaced therein,

an elongated form channel resting on said platform, said channel having an upright web section with flanges extending outwardly from the top and bottom of the web section,

said flanges having vertically opposed guide holes therein aligned with the holes in said platform,

a set of stakes extending through the aligned holes and extendible into the ground,

a second form channel disposed at a transverse angle relative to the first mentioned channel, one end of one channel being disposed adjacent an end of the other channel,

the web section of each of said channels having a threaded hole adjacent the said end,

hinge means including a hinge pin, hinge plates hinged to said pin and each having a hole, at least one of said holes being a horizontally extended slot,

and screws extending through said last mentioned holes and threaded into the adjacent threaded holes of said channels. 2. Mechanism for forming a side of a foundation, such as a concrete foundation, said mechanism comprising:

a base having an elongated section extendible vertically into the ground, a platform extending outwardly from the top portion of the elongated section, said platform having a plurality of vertical holes horizontally spaced therein,

an elongated form channel resting on said platform, said channel having an upright web section with flanges extending outwardly from the top and bottom of the web section,

said flanges having vertically opposed guide holes therein aligned with the holes in said platform,

a set of stakes extending through the aligned holes and extendible into the ground,

a second form channel disposed at a transverse angle relative to the first mentioned channel, one end of one channel being disposed adjacent an end of the other channel,

the web section of each of said channels having a threaded hole adjacent the said end,

a flange of said second mentioned channel having a hole therein adjacent said one end,

a clevis having a section extending into said last mentioned hole, a second section straddling the first mentioned channel, a third section extending alongside and spaced from the first mentioned channel and having a screw threaded therein, said screw being movable into abutting contact with the first mentioned channel. 

1. Mechanism for forming a side of a foundation, suCh as a concrete foundation, said mechanism comprising: a base having an elongated section extendible vertically into the ground, a platform extending outwardly from the top portion of the elongated section, said platform having a plurality of vertical holes horizontally spaced therein, an elongated form channel resting on said platform, said channel having an upright web section with flanges extending outwardly from the top and bottom of the web section, said flanges having vertically opposed guide holes therein aligned with the holes in said platform, a set of stakes extending through the aligned holes and extendible into the ground, a second form channel disposed at a transverse angle relative to the first mentioned channel, one end of one channel being disposed adjacent an end of the other channel, the web section of each of said channels having a threaded hole adjacent the said end, hinge means including a hinge pin, hinge plates hinged to said pin and each having a hole, at least one of said holes being a horizontally extended slot, and screws extending through said last mentioned holes and threaded into the adjacent threaded holes of said channels.
 2. Mechanism for forming a side of a foundation, such as a concrete foundation, said mechanism comprising: a base having an elongated section extendible vertically into the ground, a platform extending outwardly from the top portion of the elongated section, said platform having a plurality of vertical holes horizontally spaced therein, an elongated form channel resting on said platform, said channel having an upright web section with flanges extending outwardly from the top and bottom of the web section, said flanges having vertically opposed guide holes therein aligned with the holes in said platform, a set of stakes extending through the aligned holes and extendible into the ground, a second form channel disposed at a transverse angle relative to the first mentioned channel, one end of one channel being disposed adjacent an end of the other channel, the web section of each of said channels having a threaded hole adjacent the said end, a flange of said second mentioned channel having a hole therein adjacent said one end, a clevis having a section extending into said last mentioned hole, a second section straddling the first mentioned channel, a third section extending alongside and spaced from the first mentioned channel and having a screw threaded therein, said screw being movable into abutting contact with the first mentioned channel. 